Apparatus and method for positionally retaining clothing

ABSTRACT

The present invention is and includes an apparatus, system and method for receiving an insertion portion of an article of clothing. The apparatus, system and method may include a substantially circular member having an inner circumference and an outer circumference, and comprising a partially adherent surface on at least the inner circumference; and a crossmember conjoined at its distal ends to the inner circumference. The article of clothing may then held substantially stationary by the apparatus upon insertion between a first portion of the inner circumference and the cross member, and upon re-insertion between a second portion of the inner circumference substantially opposite the first portion along a radius of the substantially circular member and the crossmember.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is and includes a clothing accessory, and, more particularly, is directed to an apparatus that allows for clothing to be maintained in a desired position.

2. Description of the Background

At present, it is popular in fashion for persons, and particularly younger persons, and more particularly younger female persons, to modify aspects of their respective clothing by tying off, or bunching, said clothing. For example, a shirt, such as a t-shirt, may be tied in a knot, such as at the rear of the shirt or the side/front of the shirt, in order to shorten the length of the shirt and/or tighten the shirt. Moreover, a rubber band may be used to modify a clothing article, but rubber bands often and eventually break.

However, clothing wearers, and most particularly youthful clothing wearers, may lack the dexterity to tie or otherwise bunch clothing to obtain the desired look or length of the clothing. Further, less youthful clothing wearers may find the time expenditure needed to obtain the desired look of clothing to be a nuisance that may ultimately preclude the user from expending the time to obtain the desired fashion look.

Moreover, at present there are available a variety of fashion accessories, such as wristbands, hairbands, barrettes for hair, shoes, clips, and the like that may allow for users to, in essence, wear their respective likes and interests as fashion accessories. For example, a wristband may be provided, or a bracelet may be provided, wherein so-called “charms” may be obtained and physically associated with the wristband or bracelet to allow a user to express that user's likes and interests. However, such fashion accessories are generally distinct from articles of clothing, and as such if a user desires to indicate via clothing that user's likes and interests, the user must purchase articles of clothing indicating those likes and desires, such as novelty or sports t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and the like.

Therefore, the need exists for an article of clothing and/or a clothing accessory that is physically associated with clothing that allows a user to conveniently obtain a desired fashion “look” with respect to that clothing, that provides the necessary sturdiness and durability to allow for repeated use with clothing, and that may allow a user to express that user's likes and interests in association with the user's clothing without the user having to purchase particular articles of clothing that represent the user's likes and interest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is and includes an apparatus, system and method for receiving an insertion portion of an article of clothing. The apparatus, system and method may include a substantially circular member having an inner circumference and an outer circumference, and comprising a partially adherent surface on at least the inner circumference; and a crossmember conjoined at its distal ends to the inner circumference. The article of clothing may then held substantially stationary by the apparatus upon insertion between a first portion of the inner circumference and the cross member, and upon re-insertion between a second portion of the inner circumference substantially opposite the first portion along a radius of the substantially circular member and the crossmember.

Thus, the present invention provides an article of clothing and/or a clothing accessory that is physically associated with clothing that allows a user to conveniently obtain a desired fashion “look” with respect to that clothing, that provides the necessary sturdiness and durability to allow for repeated use with clothing, and that may allow a user to express that user's likes and interests in association with the user's clothing without the user having to purchase particular articles of clothing that represent the user's likes and interest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated by consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates an aspect of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an aspect of the instant invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an aspect of the instant invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an aspect of the instant invention;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate aspects of the instant invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates an aspect of the instant invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, many other elements found in similar systems, apparatuses, and methods. Those of ordinary skill in the art may thus recognize that other elements and/or steps are desirable and/or required in implementing the present invention. However, because such elements and steps are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements and steps is not provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed to all such variations and modifications to such elements and methods known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated, the apparatus 10 may include one or more outer portions 12, such as in an ovular, circular, or like shape, said outer portion having an inner circumference 12 a and an outer circumference 12 b, and said outer portion including therewithin a crossmember portion. The crossmember portion may be straight from one side from the outer portion to the other of the outer portion, and/or more particularly of the inner circumference of the outer portion, or may comprise variable shapes between the circumferences of the outer portion, such as curvilinear shapes or the like.

According to this disclosure, the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 may provide for the insertion of a portion of an article of clothing through a first opening formed between the crossmember and the inner circumference of the outer portion, and a secondary insertion of a portion of the clothing through at least a second opening formed between the crossmember and a second portion of the inner circumference. Of course, those skilled in the art may appreciate the additional open portions may be provided, such as embodiments wherein multiple crossmembers are present.

More particularly, each opening through which a portion of clothing may be inserted may be formed by an inner aspect of the outer portion and an abutting portion of the at least one crossmember. Thereby, insertion of a portion of the clothing through at least two of the openings of the apparatus may provide the same or similar functionality as would a knot tied in that portion of the clothing. For example, a two-opening insertion of the article of clothing, and the consequent wrapping about the crossmember of the portion of the article of clothing, may allow the user to tighten the bottom portion of, for example, a t-shirt, which may thereby allow the user to shorten the length of the t-shirt as worn on the user's body. The foregoing example of a t-shirt is made by way of example only—more particularly, and loose aspect of any article of clothing may be inserted, including but not limited to a t-shirt, long-sleeve shirt, sweatshirt, bathing suit, shorts, pants, etc.

In view of the functionality provided in association with the apparatus of FIG. 1, the apparatus provided herein may be comprised of any number of available materials. For example, a hard plastic or metal apparatus may be provided. However, as the apparatus should frictionally retain that portion of the article of clothing that is inserted there through about the crossmember, other materials for construction of the apparatus may be desirable, at least in order to better retain the inserted portion of the clothing. For example, a rubberized plastic, rubber, a polymer, or a like construction for the apparatus may better grip the inserted clothing by providing increased friction thereupon, and may accordingly better retain the desired length or tightness of the article of clothing to which the user initially sets the apparatus.

Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, dependent upon the construction of the apparatus, one or more elements or materials may be provided in order to provide some degree of durability and rigidity to the apparatus. For example, and as illustrated with respect to FIG. 2, a metallic ring may provide the basis about which a rubberized apparatus is formed. Such a metallic ring may be of a desired thickness so as to provide a desired level of rigidity to the apparatus. Likewise, a metallic aspect may be, in whole or in part, associated with the crossmember, such as in conjunction, in whole or in part, with an at least partial metallic ring about the outer portion, to provide a desired level of rigidity to the crossmember. Likewise, of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate in view of the discussion herein that a plastic, polymer, rubber, or similar feature may likewise provide rigidity within the apparatus as discussed herein.

Further, in order to better obtain, for example, a rubberized outer aspect of the apparatus, and/or to provide some degree of rigidity and durability to the apparatus, the outer portion and/or the crossmember may be formed with or on a lining, such as a mesh lining therewithin. The formation of such an apparatus is illustrated in FIG. 3. Such a mesh lining may provide not only rigidity and durability to the apparatus, but may additionally provide some degree of rigidity, durability, and maintenance of formation of decorative aspects associated with the apparatus. A mesh lining in support of the apparatus and at least one decorative feature associated therewith is further illustrated in FIG. 4.

As indicated in the example of FIG. 4, a variety of decorative features may be formed as portions of the apparatus. These decorative features may indicate the likes and interests of the user, and/or may provide advertising space in association with the apparatus. Such associations of the likes or interests of the user, and/or of marketing elements, are illustrated in FIGS. 5 a, 5 b, and 5 c. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that FIGS. 5 a-5 c are non-limiting in nature, and that any likes, interests, or marketing aspects may be associated with the device. For example, sports team indicators may be associated with the apparatus as illustrated. Likewise children's characters, such as cartoon characters, may be physically provided as portions of the apparatus. Further, colored or numeric features, such as may be associated with NASCAR or the like, may be provided on the apparatus as features thereof. Additionally and alternatively, Coca Cola advertisements and even a logo may be provided as marketing elements on the apparatus. Likewise, nonprofit entities may employ slogans and/or logos as features of the apparatus.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that features may be provided on the apparatus to allow items to be associated with the apparatus that are not initially integrated with the apparatus. For example, a flat, square, or like formed and shaped portion of the apparatus may be provided to allow for items indicating the likes and interests of the user to be clipped onto the apparatus. Likewise, aspects of the apparatus may be provided to allow a phone to be clipped onto the apparatus, hairclips to be clipped onto the apparatus, or the like.

Additionally, one or more clips or like holders may be physically integrated as features of the apparatus. For example, the center member of the apparatus may “open” and “close”. Thereby, user may more readily and conveniently insert a portion of clothing into the apparatus. Further, a center member may serve as a clip on which to clip other items down onto the apparatus. In a similar manner, one or more clips may be physically associated with the apparatus. For example, an integrated clip may be provided along the center member, or along the outer portion of the apparatus, whereby disassociated items may be inserted into the physically associated clip in order to be held by the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of apparatuses according to the present invention. Further, FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method of using the apparatus. More particularly, an apparatus, such as that described and shown in the figures throughout, may receive an inserted portion of clothing that goes through at least a first and a second opening and about the crossmember of the apparatus. Upon insertion of that portion of the clothing, the length and tightness of the article of clothing having a portion thereof so inserted may be modified. In the illustration of FIG. 6, the lower portion of a t-shirt has been tightened and shortened about the midriff of the wearer of the article of clothing and the apparatus.

Although the invention has been described and pictured in an exemplary form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the exemplary form has been made by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts and steps may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for receiving an insertion portion of an article of clothing, comprising: a substantially circular member having an inner circumference and an outer circumference, and comprising a partially adherent surface on at least the inner circumference; and a crossmember conjoined at its distal ends to the inner circumference; wherein the article of clothing is held substantially stationary by the apparatus upon insertion between a first portion of the inner circumference and the cross member, and upon re-insertion between a second portion of the inner circumference substantially opposite the first portion along a radius of the substantially circular member and the crossmember. 